Wisdom Teeth Surgery

Third molars, commonly referred to as wisdom teeth, are usually the last four of 32 teeth to erupt (surface) in the mouth, generally making their appearance between the ages of 17 to 25. They are located at the back of the mouth (top and bottom), near the entrance to the throat. The term “wisdom” stems from the idea that the molars surface at a time typically associated with increased maturity or “wisdom”.

In most cases, inadequate space in the mouth does not allow the wisdom teeth to erupt properly and become fully functional. When this happens, the tooth can become impacted (stuck) in an undesirable or potentially harmful position. If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can contribute to infection, damage to other teeth, and possibly cysts or tumors.

There are several types, or degrees, of impaction, based on the actual depth of the teeth within the jaw:

Soft Tissue Impaction: The upper portion of the tooth (the crown) has penetrated through the bone, but the gingiva (gum) is covering part or all of the tooth’s crown and has not positioned properly around the tooth. Because it is difficult to keep the area clean, food can become trapped below the gum and cause an infection and/or tooth decay, resulting in pain and swelling.

Partial Bony Impaction: The tooth has partially erupted, but a portion of the crown remains submerged below the gum and surrounding jawbone. Again, because it is difficult to keep the area clean, infection will commonly occur.

Complete Bony Impaction: The tooth is completely encased by the jawbone. This will require more complex removal techniques.

Reasons to Remove Wisdom Teeth

While not all wisdom teeth require removal, wisdom teeth extractions are most often performed because of an active problem such as pain, swelling, decay, or infection, or as a preventative measure to avoid serious problems in the future. If impaction of one or more wisdom teeth is present and left untreated, several potentially harmful outcomes can occur, including:

Damage to nearby teeth: Second molars (the teeth directly in front of the wisdom teeth) can be adversely affected by impacted wisdom teeth, resulting in tooth decay (cavities), periodontal disease (gum disease), and possible bone loss.

Disease: Although uncommon, cysts and tumors can occur in the areas surrounding impacted wisdom teeth.

Infection: Bacteria and food can become trapped under the gum tissue, resulting in an infection. The infection can cause considerable pain and danger.

Tooth Crowding: It has been theorized that impacted wisdom teeth can put pressure on other teeth and cause them to become misaligned (crowded or twisted). This theory isn’t universally accepted by all dental professionals, and it has never been validated by any scientific studies.

Wisdom Teeth Examination

As with any dental procedure, your dentist will want to initially conduct a thorough examination of the wisdom and surrounding teeth. Panoramic or digital X-rays will be taken for your dentist to evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and determine if a current problem exists, or the likelihood of any potential future problems.  The X-rays can also expose additional risk factors, such as deterioration or decay of nearby teeth. Early evaluation and treatment (typically in the mid-teen years) is recommended to identify potential problems and to improve the results for patients requiring wisdom teeth extractions. Only after a thorough examination can your dentist provide you with the best options for your particular case.

What Does The Removal of Wisdom Teeth Involve?

Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure, generally performed under local anesthesia, intravenous (IV) sedation, or general anesthesia by a specially trained dentist in an office surgery suite. The surgery does not require an overnight stay, and you will be released with post-operative instructions and medication (if necessary), to help manage any swelling or discomfort.

Signs You May Need Wisdom Teeth Surgery

Wisdom teeth or known as third molars typically emerge between the age of 17 and 25. While some people have no issues with their wisdom teeth many people experience discomfort and pain, or other complications that need oral surgery. One of the first signs is persistent pain at the back of your mouth, this pain can extend to the jaw, and ear or even cause headaches, indicating the impacted nature of the teeth. Meaning the teeth cannot emerge through the gums due to lack of space.

Symptoms and Early Signs

Wisdom tooth surgery is often necessary when the third molars commonly known as wisdom teeth, begin to cause issues due to their eruption. Early symptoms include consistent pain. Swelling in the gums, difficulty opening the mouth, or a sensation of pressure in the jaw. These symptoms often indicate that the wisdom teeth are struggling to find room to emerge.

In addition to pain and discomfort, there may be other symptoms such as redness and tenderness around the area where the wisdom teeth are trying to emerge from. You may also notice that the surrounding gums are becoming inflamed or infected. If you experience persistent bad breath this could be sign of an infection caused by food particles being trapped in erupted wisdom teeth.

Wisdom Teeth Surgery Process

On the day of surgery, you will be provided with a sedative or anesthesia to ensure a painless and relaxed experience. Mina family dentistry offers many different sedation options, the choice of sedation or anesthesia depends on the complexity of the extraction and your comfort level.

Explanation of Surgical Procedure

The surgical procedure involves 5 different steps, the dentist makes a small incision in the gum tissue to expose and remove the tooth.

If the tooth is embedded in the jawbone a small amount of bone may be needed to be removed to access the tooth.

The dentist may need to break down the tooth into smaller parts to make the removal process easier. Especially if it is large or difficult to grasp.

After the tooth fragments are removed the area is cleaned to remove any debris to ensure there is no infection.

The gum tissue is sutured. Dissolvable stitches are used and they’ll naturally dissolve as the gum heals.

FAQ

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last four of 32 teeth to erupt in the mouth. They emerge between the ages of 17 and 25 and are located at the back of the mouth.

Why might I need to have my wisdom teeth removed?

Wisdom teeth are often removed due to issues such as:

Pain or discomfort, infection, damage to nearby teeth, disease, crowding

What are the different types of impaction?

Soft tissue impaction

The tooth has partially erupted but is covered by gum tissue. This leads to infection and decay.

partial bony impaction

The tooth has partially erupted but remains partially buried in the jawbone, which leads to infection.

complete bony impaction

The tooth is encased in bone and requires complex removal techniques.

How should I care for myself after the surgery?

Follow the dentist’s post-operative instructions, which include

Resting, allow some time for healing

Medication, taking prescribed pain relievers or OTC medications

Oral care, maintaining the oral health by gentle brushing and rinsing

Diet, eating soft foods and avoiding hard, hot, or spicy items

Are there risks associated with wisdom teeth removal?

While generally safe you may experience, minor bleeding or swelling around the area of the operation.